Christmas in Malta

Enjoy the festive season on the friendly Mediterranean island with the warmest of welcomes for British visitors.

Head south to the Mediterranean for this winter-warming festive break on the historic island of Malta. Blessed year round with an agreeable climate, Malta puts on a wonderful festive cloak at Christmas, combining the very best traditional celebrations and some glittering illuminations.

Enjoy a week of festive rest, relaxation and exploration

Set off on a tour of the walled capital of Valetta

Explore the beautiful island of Gozo on an optional excursion

Join an optional tour of fortified Mdina and the historic town of Rabat

Following breakfast, today’s excursion will take you to the areas across from Valletta’s Grand Harbour, where three medieval 'cities' reflect the island's rich history. The first stop, Haġar Qim Temple, a megalithic complex and one of the world’s most ancient sites can be found in the village of Qrendi.

You’ll then drive to the fortified maritime city of Birgu, also known by its title Città Vittorios. A walking tour will reveal its historic sights, like one of the earliest Maltese Crosses. There will also be some time explore at your leisure and enjoy lunch (on your own account) in the marina.

After lunch, you’ll transfer to a small traditional fishing village, Marsaxlokk, known for its picturesque seafront promenade and colourful fishing boats bobbing up and down in the bay. You can walk around here and admire these crafts known as Maltese luzzus and sporting an engraved pair of eyes, believed to be a symbol of protection and good health.

Once you’ve had breakfast, you’ll travel to Malta’s walled capital, Valletta located on a peninsula. Your tour manager will lead you past the striking façade of the modern parliament building, the majestic Royal Opera House, and the pretty Upper Barrakka Gardens.

From here, you can enjoy panoramic views of the Grand Harbour and the firing of cannons in the Saluting Battery below at 12pm. You’ll then have some time for lunch before walking down to Fort St Elmo, named after the patron saint of mariners. Housed within the fort is the National War Museum, displaying military paraphernalia and artefacts. On the way, you’ll see the 16th-century exterior of the Grand Master’s Palace set on St George’s Square.

Later, you’ll get to see the Malta Experience show, an educational audio-video show telling the story of around 7,000 years of Maltese history in a panoramic auditorium. During this, you’ll gain a better understanding of the islands and the local people throughout time.

You’ll then return to the hotel for dinner.

You can choose to take things at your own pace this Christmas Eve or join an optional tour visiting Mdina and Rabat. You’ll begin in the city, Mosta, famous its Rotunda, a large basilica built in a neo-classical style and based on the Pantheon in Rome.

The tour will continue to Mdina Glass, Malta’s original and leading producer of handmade glassware. You can watch the local glass blowers create an assortment of vases, lamps, and jewellery, and have the chance to purchase a few keepsakes.

Next, you’ll travel to Rabat and visit St Paul’s Grotto, a significant Christian site, built beneath the ornate St. Paul’s Church. It’s believed that St. Paul and his missionary party took refuge here after they become shipwrecked on the island of Malta. This cave then become an important place of worship with many coming here on pilgrimages, including several popes.

In Mdina, the ancient fortified former capital, the ‘Silent City’, you’ll be guided on a walk around the narrow streets lined with medieval, stone-built houses. You’ll have some time to wander on your own accord and have lunch.

Lastly, you’ll traverse along the Dingli Cliffs looking out over the Mediterranean Sea and the Maltese countryside. These cliffs are the highest point of the Maltese Islands, and you can see a small chapel dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene here to mark this.

Dinner will be enjoyed back at the hotel.

Visit the cities of Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea

Soak up the colour and atmosphere of Valetta

Celebrate with a Gala dinner on Christmas Eve

Watch the Malta Experience show, an educational audio-video storytelling

Seven nights' half-board accommodation at your chosen hotel
Seven breakfasts and seven dinners
7 nights half-board accommodation at the four-star Dolmen Resort Hotel in Qawra (all inclusive option and alternative hotel available at a supplement)
Return flights to Malta
Comfortable coach travel and transfers
Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
One piece of hold luggage per person
‘Three Cities and the Sea’ tour
Malta Experience show

Departure point	Departure date	Price (per person)	Availability
London Gatwick	December 2025	from £1,620 pp	1 date available
London Gatwick	20 Dec 2025 Saturday 8 days 27 Dec 2025 Saturday	from £1,620 was £1,799
Manchester	December 2025	from £1,508 pp	1 date available
Manchester	20 Dec 2025 Saturday 8 days 27 Dec 2025 Saturday	from £1,508 was £1,675

Dolmen Resort Hotel and Spa, Qawra Qawra, MaltaExtensively refurbished in 2009, the four-star Dolmen Resort Hotel is beautifully located at the water's edge, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and St Paul's islands. The resort of Qawra is a five-minute stroll from the hotel grounds.

Star rating
4 star hotel

AX ODYCY Hotel, Qawra QawraBoasting views of Qawra Bay and positioned within walking distance from the town’s square, this stylish hotel ensures a perfect coastal escape.

Star rating
4 star hotel

Rules may have changed since you last travelled to European Union countries as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. The following are useful guidelines which will help you prepare for your next adventure. You do require government issued passport to travel.

Names - It is very important that all passenger names are exactly as per your passport although we do not require middle names.

Passport - Your passport must meet two requirements to travel to an EU country and to Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. It must be: Less than 10 years old on the day you return home (please check the "date of issue") and valid for at least 3 months after the day you return home (please check the "expiry date").

Visa - You do not need a visa for short trips to most EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. You’ll be able to stay for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period.

European Entry/Exit Scheme (EES) - EES is the new electronic entry/exit system for European countries which will replace the physical stamping of your passport. The expected date for its introduction is 10 November 2024. From this date, it means that when you go through passport control on arrival, you will need to produce your passport for checking as you do now, but also have your photograph taken and fingerprints scanned. The system will register your entry on arrival and your exit when departing. You will only need to do this on your first entry into Europe after the scheme starts.
Please note: Irish passport holders or British Passport holders with an EU residency are currently excluded. For those travelling via Eurostar, there is a dual British and French/Belgian) border in operational at St Pancras International. Therefore the EES system will be in place at the station, you will not need to be checked again on arrival at the other side. For further information please visit the ABTA website here.

European Travel Information & Authorisation System (ETIAS) - Due to commence in 2025, all citizens of the United Kingdom will require a ETIAS electronic form completed prior to their arrival into the EU and Schengen member countries. The cost for this travel authorisation will be €7.00 per person with exceptions for under 18’s and over 70’s. The latest information and further details can be found at www.etias.com.

Christmas in Malta

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Christmas in Malta

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